New Habit of Exercise x Reading: "Mimi-katsu Walking" Campaign to be Held Again in 2026 – Get up to 1000 Coins While Having Fun

Otobank Inc. (Headquarters: Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo; Representative Director and President: Yuya Kubota; hereinafter "Otobank"), which operates "audiobook.jp," the No. 1 audiobook title lineup (※1), will hold the "Mimi-katsu Walking 2026" campaign, where users can enjoy audiobooks while walking, from Friday, May 8, 2026, to Sunday, June 7, 2026.

In this campaign, up to 1000 coins, which can be used on audiobook.jp, will be presented according to the number of days audiobooks are played, and 30 lucky winners will receive original merchandise through a lottery.

※1. Survey by Japan Marketing Research Organization in November 2023. Survey on the number of Japanese audiobook titles.

Enjoy Exercise and Reading Simultaneously! "Mimi-katsu Walking" Attracting Attention in Dementia Prevention Research

Mimi-katsu Walking is a new habit of walking while listening to audiobooks.

It is drawing attention for its ability to solve problems such as "can't stick to exercise" and "don't have time to read" simultaneously. Furthermore, research conducted by Otobank and Kansai University of Social Welfare has shown that moving the body while listening to audiobooks can activate brain blood flow to the same extent as brain training for dementia prevention (※2).

The Mimi-katsu Walking campaign was first held in 2023 and received positive feedback, and this year marks its 4th occurrence.

Users who experienced Mimi-katsu Walking commented:

"Normally I listen during my commute, but I started walking on weekends too, and it was fun."

"It became an impetus to walk almost 10,000 steps every day."

"By combining regular walking with reading by ear and making it a habit, I was able to lead a healthy life."

We hope this campaign will be an opportunity to enjoy exercise and reading in this beautiful season of fresh greenery.

※2. Newly discovered brain blood flow activation effect of audiobook and exercise dual-task, equivalent to brain training for dementia prevention.

https://prtimes.jp/main/html/rd/p/000000225.000034798.html

Official Character "Mimi-chan" Appears! Keep Going Like a Game

The official character "Mimi-chan," who promotes the fun of Mimi-katsu Walking and Mimi-katsu Fitness, will make her debut.

This campaign adopts a "Sugoroku-style" format where the character advances according to the number of playback days.

You can easily see your playback status and continue enjoying it like a game.

Let's walk with Mimi-chan and aim for 1000 coins.

Mimi-chan

<Mimi-chan Profile>

Personality: Kind, curious

Hobbies: Mimi-katsu Walking, Mimi-katsu Fitness, walks, reading

Favorites: Fully charged earphones

Goal: Become knowledgeable while walking!

Service Collaboration Project to Expand the Circle of "Mimi-katsu Walking"!

Since April 2025, audiobook.jp has opened an official challenge within the habit-forming app "Minchare" operated by Aten Lab Inc. By joining a "team" of 5 people and sharing the works listened to and the distance walked, users can enjoy "Mimi-katsu Walking" and connect it to habit formation for exercise and reading.

Also, in 2026, a first-time collaboration campaign with CLAS (furniture and appliance rental/subscription service), titled "Mimi-katsu Walking at Home! with CLAS," will be held simultaneously. CLAS will introduce recommended items that make exercise more comfortable, including indoor walking machines. This supports creating an environment where people can enjoy a healthy "Mimi-katsu" lifestyle at home.

For information on how to participate in the audiobook.jp official challenge on "Minchare" and the collaboration campaign with CLAS, please refer to the "Mimi-katsu Walking 2026" campaign page.

"Mimi-katsu Walking 2026" Campaign Overview

In "Mimi-katsu Walking 2026," coins usable in the audiobook.jp app will be presented according to the number of days audiobooks are played (up to a maximum of 1000 coins).

Additionally, 30 people who play for 5 days or more during the period and apply via the application form on the campaign website will be selected by lottery to receive an audiobook.jp original tote bag.

<Coins Awarded Based on Playback Days>

5 days playback: 150 coins

10 days playback: Total 300 coins

15 days playback: Total 500 coins

20 days playback: Total 700 coins

25 days playback: Total 1000 coins

audiobook.jp original tote bag

<Campaign Period>

From Friday, May 8, 2026, to Sunday, June 7, 2026

<Campaign Website>

https://special.au